Foot corrective appliance



Aug. 10, 1937. s, LEVITT 2,089,384

FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Filed May 28, 1,935

I I I I I INVENTOR, J'o vhia Lev/i112 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to foot corrective appliances, and more particularly to appliances for preventing, ameliorating and correcting the foot ailment known as metatarsalgia and also the -5 ailment called Mortons toe.

Metatarsalgia is a general name for weakness in the metatarsal regions, the symptoms of which are broadening at the ball, tenderness, burning pain, callouses on the ball of the foot, contracting l0 toes, hard corns on top of toes, soft corns between the toes and cramp-like pains through the toes generally Mortons toe, likewise, is an ailment in the metatarsal regions and is readily recognized by '15 sharp, sudden, spasmodic, cramp-like pain radiating through the fourth toe. It is caused by the dropping down and rolling together of the third and fourth metatarsal heads, which brings about an impingement or pinching of the sciatic nerves. The object of my invention is to ameliorate and remedy both of said ailments and similar foot complaints. A further object is to provide an appliance which in addition to correcting metatarsalgia and Mortons toe, will at the same time v establish perfect foot balance, which in itself will aid in the prevention and correction of the named ailments. For the attainment of these objects and of such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be 130 pointed out, I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention in the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 depicts the bottom of a human foot; Fig. 2 is a top view of the metatarsal bones, with one form of the appliance of my invention .-,35 in place;

Fig. 3 is a top view of another form of the appliance embodying my invention;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the metatarsal bones, showing the appliance of Fig, 2 in place;

Fig. 4a is an inverted section on the line Lia-4a of Figure 4;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2. Before describing my invention and forms of embodiment by which I may practice it, I shall v4.5' explain the causes which give rise to metatarsalgia, Mortons toe and similar ailments. These conditions and the resulting ailments are caused and aggravated by certain pressures which affect the metatarsal bones of the foot, especially in 50 walking.

The human foot has three bearing points, called the tripods. These are shown in Fig. 1. 5 The point at the heel is designated I and is at the os calcis or main heel bone; this forms the .55 apex of the tripod, the other points being at the distal end of the fifth metatarsal bone, designated 2, and at the distal end of the first metatarsal bone, 3 in Fig. 1. In Figs. 2 and 4, the first metatarsal bone is designated a| and the fifth 5.

In the normal rest position of the foot, the weight of the body is more or less evenly distributed and carried at these three points. In the rest position the five metatarsal bones, shown and designated in Figs. 2 and 4, the first as "a-1, the second as a2, etc., are ordinarily not .unduly stressed. However, in walking, as Will be subsequently seen, certain of the metatarsal bones are subjected to pressures, which cause foot complaints and ailments, particularly, metatarsalgia and Mortons toe.

Analyzing the procedure of walking, the first action, in putting the foot forward in taking a step, is to put the weight of the body upon point I, the os calcis or heel point, of the tripod (Fig. 1). The second action is to transfer the weight of the body to point 2, the fifth metatarsal bone, and immediately thereafter to elevate the heel (point I). The third action is to distribute part of the Weight, carried entirely at point 2, to point 3, the first metatarsal bone.

Point 2 is not elevated, so that at the end of the third action, both points 2 and 3 remain on ground; the weight of the body is more or less evenly distributed between the first and the fifth metatarsal bones. Lastly, the foot is raised, springing from a ground support at points 2 and 3, and put forward in making the ensuing step.

It will hence be seen that at one time in the procedure of walking as just outlined, the entire weight of the body is carried at point 2, which is, as explained, the distal end of the fifth metatarsal bone, a-S (Figs. 2 and 4). This causes a compression or pressing together of the metatarsal bones in a leftward direction (Fig. 4) towards the fifth metatarsal. Moreover, in transferring part of the weight of the body from the fifth metatarsal to the first metatarsal, as outlined above, (i. e. from point 2 to point 3, Fig. 1), the compressing or pressing together of the metatarsal shafts is further aggravated, the direction of the pressure being, however, in the opposite direction, i. e. rightward (Fig 4) toward the first metatarsal.

Thus it will be seen that the procedure of walking results in a compression of the metatarsal bones. the fifth metatarsals, it will be seen are in a more favorable position than the inner three shafts,

The end shafts or bones, the first and since they are laterally supported by resting upon the ground. The inner shafts, however, not having lateral support other than that aiforded by adjacent shafts, are more or less liable to be displaced and cramped as a result of the transverse compression to which that portion of the foot is subjected.

The cramping together and displacement of the inner three metatarsal shafts are the chief causes of metatarsalgia and Mortons toe. The conditionis most aggravated in the case of the tlnrd and fourth metatarsal, particularly the latter, than in the case of the second shaft. In fact the chief cause of Mortons toe is the rolling together or lateral displacement of the third and fourth metatarsals, particularly at their distal ends or heads. The result of this lateral compression and displacement is to eventually cause a dropping of the fourth metatarsal bone, and to a lesser extent, the third.

I have discovered that the cause of metatarsalgia, Mortons toe and similar ailments may be removed at the seat of the trouble, and that the complaint may be ameliorated and eventually removed, by an appliance which I have devised which is designed to remove the above mentioned lateral compression. One form of this appliance, shown in Fig. 3, consists of an integral piece of hard or soft rubber, wood, composition, metal, felt or other material, designated generally as 4. The appliance maybe secured either to the shoe or to the foot, in any manner, or may be incorporated as part of the shoe itself.

The appliance may be of the short length shown in Fig. 3 or of the longer, almost footlength, shown in Fig. 4. The outline of the appliance is made such as to fit snugly in the metatarsal arch of the foot and to conform with the positions of the distal ends or heads, points, of the metatarsal shafts, see particularly Fig. 4. To conform With the slight curvature of the metatarsal arch, the appliance is correspondingly arched, see Fig. 5.

Thereis formed in the top, convexed surface of the appliance a number of grooves, designated 5, 6 and 7. Although three are shown in the drawing, the number may be varied; I have found, however, that the best results, at least in most cases of metatarsalgia and Mortons toe, are attained by providing three grooves. It will be seen, especially from Fig. 3, that the grooves radiate or diverge a slight extent, to conform with the radiation of the metatarsal shafts. Grooves and 6, it will be seen from Fig. 3 and also Fig. 5 are deeper and more pronounced; this is because of the fact, as explained above, that the fourth and third metatarsals, which fit in these grooves, are the direct causes of metatarsalgia and Mortons toe, and that the chief objects of the appliance are to raise the fourth and third shafts to their normal position, to secure them against lateral displacement or rolling, to provide them with-the proper support, and to prevent them from being cramped or compressed, especially in walking.

The fifth metatarsal, a-5, is suificiently spaced and supported by the slope at the side of the appliance, designated 8. (See especially Fig. 5.) Likewise, the first metatarsal shaft, a'-l, may rest upon the opposite side of the appliance; in Fig. 5, a slight depression 9 is provided for this shaft.

The-appliance is placed under the foot with its convex face in contact with the bottom of the foot. The ridges between the grooves gently press in the fleshy portions of the foot and in the proper positions so that the metatarsal bones locate themselves and rest in the respective grooves.

The convexity of the appliance, in addition to conforming to the shape of the foot, provides an arch support for the metatarsal arch. The advantage of the metatarsal arch support of my appliance, as compared with the usual smooth arch, is that the grooves and ridges in its face form corrugations, which keep the foot in the proper position on the arch and prevent the foot from bodily moving to different positions on the support.

Two forms of the appliance of my invention are shown in the drawing; a short length appliance, Fig. 3, and a long length appliance, Figs. 2 and 4. The long length form, which is somewhat less than the length of the foot, extends beyond the metatarsal region, toward the heel of the foot. The arch or convexity at the toe end of the appliance, which conforms with the metatarsal arch and forms a support therefor, as explained, extends toward the heel end. The extension of the convexity forms an arch support for the transverse arch of the foot, which lies below the instep of the foot. Proper support for the transverse arch aids in remedying metatarsalgia and Mortons toe, inasmuch as the lowering of this arch aggravates the conditions which cause these ailments, by distributing a great portion of the weight of the body to the metatarsal region and by causing greater lateral displacement of the metatarsal shafts.

I have found that use of my appliance will not only remedy the Mortons toe and metatarsalgia, but will also prevent the formation of soft corns between the toes, especially at their head ends of these shafts, caused by the cramping and rolling of the shafts.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A foot corrective appliance consisting of an integral piece of material, the bottom face of,

which is flat and the top surface of which is convexed in substantial conformity with the concavity of the metatarsal arch, said surface being provided with a groove for the second metatarsal shaft, a groove for the third metatarsal shaft,v

and a groove for the fourth metatarsal shaft, the said grooves being of suificient length to accommodate substantially the entire length of the respective metatarsal shafts.

2. A foot corrective appliance provided in its top surface with a groove of a predetermined depth to accommodate the fourth metatarsal shaft, a groove of substantially the same depth to accommodate the third metatarsal shaft, and a groove of less depth to accommodate the second metatarsal shaft, the said grooves being of sufficient length to accommodate substantially the entire length of the respective metatarsal shafts.

3. A foot corrective appliance having a flat bottom surface and a convexed top surface which is provided with longitudinal grooves in which .the entire length of the inner metatarsal shafts the second metatarsal shaft, a groove for the third metatarsal shaft, and a groove for the fourth metatarsal shaft, the said grooves being of sufiicient length to accommodate substantially the entire length of the respective metatarsal shafts, the convexity extending to the other end to form a support throughout the length of the appliance for the transverse arch.

5. A foot corrective appliance consisting of an integral piece of material, having a convexed top surface and provided with a groove for the second metatarsal shaft, a groove for the third metatarsal shaft, and a groove for the fourth metatarsal shaft, the said grooves being of sufficient length to accommodate substantially the 15 entire length of the respective metatarsal shafts,

the end portion of the appliance being shaped so as to terminate short of the distal heads of the metatarsal shafts.

6. A foot corrective appliance formed of an integral piece of material and shaped to fit under the metatarsal regions of the foot and provided with alternate grooves and ridges so formed that the ridges press in the fleshy portions of the foot to lodge substantially the entire length of the metatarsal shafts in the grooves.

7. A foot corrective appliance consisting of an integral piece of material having a flat bottom surface and a top surface which is provided with a plurality of longitudinal alternate grooves and ridges, which are of sufiicient length to accommodate substantially the entire length of the respective metatarsal shafts and which appliance is convexed to support the metatarsal shafts of the metatarsal arch, in their normal arched po sition, the metatarsal shafts being accommodated in the said grooves to prevent displacement.

SOPHIA LEVI'IT. 

